Compressor-controlling mechanism



W. H. WINEMAN. COMPRESSOR CONTROLLING MECHANISM,

APPLICATION FILED DEC 22. I917.

w. H. WINEMAN COMPRESSGR CONTROLHNG MECHANISM. a 3i I APP 'LICATION FILED 0502x1917. gw latented Nov. 29, BEL

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w m g V W W mm B H MH WWM @w a A? w W GQMIANE', A GOEIEOR-ATX'ON O MAS$ACHUSETTS.

COIdlEtESfiGB-OQNTRQLLJQNG HESH ANISM.

v. To aljwvhom it mfij/ concern:

Be it known that I, li aon H. ineman, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of llinois, have invented certain new and useul Improvements in Compressor-Controlling lilechanisms, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactspecification.

My invention relates tocompressor controlling mechanisms. q

It has for its object to provide an improved contr lling mechanism for a compressor, especially adapted to use in connection with motor driven compressors. A further object of my invention is to provide means of an improved and simplified construction whereby the motor driving the compressor may be brought up to speed prior to the hiadi'ng of the compressor and the latter thereafter automatically loaded and unloaded in accordance with variations in terminal pressure. A still further objectof my invention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted to attain the above mentioned ends and to use in connection with a compressor oi the type wherein suction inlet valves are employed. These and other objects and ad vintages of my improved construction will,- however, hereinafter more tully appear.

In the accompanying d'awings, l have shown one embodiment which. my invention may assume in practice, illustrating the same as applied to a standard type of compressor.

In these drawings,-

Figure l is a diagramn'iatic side elevation of a compressor equipped with my improvement.

Fig. 2 an enlarged detail view partially in section and with parts broken awayshowing the controlling mechanism disposed in diagrammatic form.

ln this illustrative construction. I have shown a compressor comprising the usual frame 1 having a cylinder :2 thereon in which a pistonC-l is movable back and forth and connected in the usual manner to a crank shat't 4 adapted to be propelled through suitable driving connections from a motor 5. [is shown. this cylinder 2 is provided with suction inlet valves and discharge valves 7, the former controlling); the communication between the cylinder and the intake 8, and

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. as, test.

Application filed; Becember 22, 191?. Serial No. 208,433.

the latter controlling the communication between the cylinder and a pipe 9 leading to.

the receiver 10.

In my present invention, which constitutes a development of my invention described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 208,432, filed December 222, 1917 I have provided improved means whereby the controlling mechanism described in that application is adapted to use in connection with a compressor employing suction valves, means being provided herein whereby the controlling mechanism in quest'on may cause those valves to be operative i or inop' erative at different times in the operation ofthe machine as the terminal pressure varies, in such a manner as to load or unload the compressor in a predetermined sequence relative to the making or breaking of the circuit of the compressor driving motor. More specifically. it will be observed that the receiver 10 is connected, as through a pipe connection 11, with a suitable pilot valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure. This valve may, obviously, be' of any desired type. In the form of my invention illustrated herein, however, it will be observed that this valve is shown as a simplified form of pilot valve including a valve casing 12 having therein a suitable septum 13 spaced apart from its bottom and communicatinp; on its opposite sides with a pipe l-l communicating: with the pipe 11 and with a pipe 15 hereinafter described, an outlet or vent 16 being preferably provided beneath the septum, and a port 17 being provided in the septum and controlled by a valve member 18 on a piston 19 movable in the valve casing and normally depressed by a spring 20 the tension of which is adjustable by means of an adjustable cap21. Thus. it will be observed that the variations in pressure in the receiver lO'act to control'the valve 18 and thereby control the supply of fluid from the receiver to the pipe'15. This pipe. as shown, is in turn connected to the upper end of a cylinder 22 having therein a piston-23 which carries on its lower end a rod 24, herein adapted to control the motor circuit and also to control the inlet valves 6 through the control of the connection hetween the receiver and these valves. As shown' this rod 24 is provided with a trans- I versely disposed arm or Cross arm 25 resil 43; and aeting upon pistons or pl entlv eonneeted through springs 2t disposed in opposite sides of the e vlinder .22. with an upper t-ross arm .2? earried h v the e vlinder easing. in sueh a manner that the springs normall v tend to resist downward movement. ol the arm 25 and tend to draw the same upward. t'oiipelating with this arm 25. is a suitahle switeh. which may he ot anv desired type. preterahlv adapted to make or hreak the eii't'uit with a uuieltsnap aetion under the eontrol ot'the arm 35. .Xs herein shown. this switeh is of a well known (utler llamnier t vpe and ineludes an operating memher 28 pivoted at Ll on a suitahle support 2W preterahlv eonneeted to the e vlinder. the member in heing normall v held in elevated position hv ans ot'a spring ll and adapted to rontrol the movement of a eontaet' earrvineinemher 32. resiliently eonneeted there to through a spring 33. through the operation of a lateh i4 normally held in elevated position h v means of a spring L"). the eonstruetion and arrangement of the parts he-. inn sueh that when the arm '25 is moved downward hv an inerease in pressure in the reeeiver. thew-ontart earrvin;- memher 132 is aetuated in sueh a manner as to interrupt the flow ot' eurrent in the eondnrtors 2%(3 and 257 leading to the eon1prt ssor driving motor. and therehv hring the motor to rest. is ahove indieated; a moving part of the meehanism responsive to variations in reeeiver pressure also nets to eontrol the flow ot pressure fluid from the reeeiver to the inlet valves (3. Herein. it will he noted that the arm is also utilized as the eontrolling element. the same hein'n adapted to engage at a point adjae'ent one (it its ends with a valve stem of a suitahle trigger valve 39 eontrolling these valves. As shown. this valve 39 is earried in a suitahle valve easing ll) and adapted to seat at will in suitahle seats ll and thus eontrol the eommunieation he: tween a pipe 42 and a pipe 43. the l'ormer eommunieating' with the pipe 11 and thelatter leading to a point heneatl the inlet valves (3. As shown. the valve easing is also provided with suitahle vents ll. preterhlv loeated in its lower seat -l-l. so that when the valve 39 elevated hvtlie eross arm 35. the air trapped in the valve easing-and in the pipe l3 ma lind an outlet to the atlnos hhere through these vents and thus relieve the 1n-essure heneath the inlet valves (3. As shown. itv will he noted that when the valve 35) is in its lower position. the reeeiver pres" sure passing into the pipe l3 is enahled to" operate upon the valves It in a well l\'l]()\\ll manner to render the same inoperatiw. the same passing through suitahle lateral pipe eonneetions l5 eonnnunieatin with the pipe lingers it; movahle in suitahle ovlinders-li in sueh a manner as to eause them to engage the lower ends of the valve stems l8 and therehv lil't rereiver and the pipe the valves ti from their seats 9 against the pressure 01 their springs while when the valve 35? is in its upper position. the air heneath those pistons is exhausted to the atmosphere through the vents it in sueh a manner as to eause the pistons to drop down and thus permit the valve (3 to seat in their operative or loaded positions under the inlluenre of their springs so. It will also he ohserved that in mv improved eonstraetion l have. provided improved means adapted to eooperate with the springs it? in retarding the movement of the eross arm :25. These means may,ohviously,assume various forms, but it will he noted that in the present em hodiment of my invention the same are illustrated in the torm of a dash pot ineluding a dash pot easing 51 adapted to reeeive a suitahle retarding tluidt sueh as air or oil. and housin; therein a dash pot piston 52 'earried on the lower end ol the rod 2t and adapted to move slowly hark and forth in the e vlinder 5t as the fluid therein passes through a longitiulinallv disposed port 533 in the piston.

In the operation of m v improved meehanism. it will he evident that during the normal runnin e operation of the eon'ipressor the motor eirenit will heelosed and the inlet valves t'i thereot" will oeeupj their operative or loaded position shown in Fig. 2. wherein they are freely movahle up and down in response to the haelt and t'orth movement ol the. piston l. as is usual with ordinar suetion valves. However. when the terminal pressure. it (n. the pressure in the reeeiver ll). exeeeds a pretletermined limit determined h v the position of the rap 2!. the pressure in the same will then art. to elevate the piston l! ol the pilot valve and therehv raise the valve 1H in sueh a manner as to permit the reeeiver pressure to pass through the opening IT and the pipe 15 into the top of the e vlinder i2 and therehv depress the piston 23. r\s a result: the eross arm '35 will he moved downward against the tension of the springs 2t and he hroug ht into engagement with the memher 28 ot' the switeh meehanism. whieh in turn releases the lateh 5+ and therehy hrealcs the motor rireuit. it will also he noted that as the memher 23 thus moves downward. it will permit; the valve 239 to drop in sueh a manner as to open eonununiealion hetween the lit through the pipe eouneetions ll. l2. and l t. and thus enahle the reeeiver pressure to net upon the pistons in the ovlinders l7 and eause those pistons to rise and lil t the valves 4 from their seats. thus rendering" the eompressor inop erative. or unloaded. lhis eondition will. ohvionslv ohtain o long as the pressure in the reeeiver H) is ahove a predetermined limit. lVhen. however. the pressure inthe reeeiver drops helow a predetermined miniweenie mum, the spring 19 in such a manner as to lower the same and cause is valve 18 to close the aperture 1? end thus slur-ioil the supply of receiver pressure to the cylinder 22 and permit the press're shove rile piston 23- to pass out chrougrh the vent iii to she atmosphere. As a. result, the piston 23 will then be free to move upward in the cylinder due to the aclion of the. springs 26 upon the cross arm and the laieer wid be raised from an gageinent with lhe switch member in such a manner as to enable the switch l0 be reset in circuit closing posision and thus start the motor in operation as the first step in the loading process. During the further up ward movemenr of the cross arm and, due lo lhe acsion oi" the dash pot 51, 52, at an ap preciable time a'llxer 'the motor circuit has heen closed, h. will he noted that the arm will also engage the stem 38 of the valve 39 in such a manner as to seat the valve in its upper seal 41 and thus close communication between the receiver connections 11 and 42 and the pipe connection 43 and open communication between the pipe 43 and the venjts l4- so that the air beneath the pistons 46 will be exhausted to the atmosphere. As a result, it will heo'oserved that the pistons is will then drop down in sheir cylinders and thus permit the valve springs 50 to sest the inlet valves 6, the compressor then being loaded.

It will be noled from an inspection of the dash. pol. 51., 52, that downward movement of the pislon will be retarded by the necessity of forcing the fluid contained in the cylinder 51 upward through the porl; 53 in the piston 52. lit will further be noted that. a very slight movement 01 the arm 25 will suifice to operate the valve 39' to unload she compressor, but that a materially further movement will he necessary before the switch is operated to break the circuit. R

will thus no obvious that if the port be made oi relatively small size, a considerable inrerval ma iniicrvene between the unloading: oi" the compressor and the shutting down oi the minor and lzhat by making; this interval 0; a considerable duration, it may possible to run the compressor when operating at near capacity without stopping the motor at all, while yet maintaining a nesfy conslanl'. rel-eiver pressure. 'The advunlage of this .will be obvious when it is considered thal lire stopping and starting oi? lhe motor al frequent intervals is highly disadvaniagzcous as a relatively large starting current required and the wear on the slarlingr apparatus considerable. In fact, il has heen found desirable in some plants to have two separate with an intake or the other with d stop mechanism;

inlet type unlosder, and in, molor start and to be used at will act upon the piston limes mechanism at all. whereas,

pressor.

(EOHIPKQSSOT systems, 0118' when a. relatively constant large demand is maintained, the second, when'bu's a relatively small part of the compressors capecity is requisite to furnish the air needed. In the first case, it will be obvious that frequent but very short operations of the unloading mechanism will be needed; and in the second, that the plant maybe shut down for a considerable period at a time so that the gain due to saving: in current may off-set the losses due to high starting current and wear on the electric control mechanism. lt will thus be seen that I have provided a. mechanism which will automatically take care of a relatively constant full capacity demand without the operation of the starting in the demand is very slight or fluctuates, the plant will be shut down entirely in the intervals during which no compressing action is necesssry.

As a result of my improvement, it will be observed that it is possibl e to control the suction valves of the compressor in such a motor circuit is closed a sul'licient time before the coinpreessor 1S loaded to permit the 'motorto be brought up to speed before the same is required to drive the loaded coin- More specifically, it will be observed thahdue to the operation of my i1nproved means responsive to terminal pressure, both the switch controlling: the motor and the valve controlling the flow to the inlet valve operating pistons are controlled in a predetermined sequence in such a manner that the switch is operated and the inlet valves are rendered operative or inoperative automatically in accordance with the variations in terminal pressure and without placing an undue load upon 'the motor. At the same time, it will be observed that an exceedingly simple mechanism is produced which is adapted to be very cheaply manuiairtured stantially unitary form to any, standard form of compressor, the entire mechanism being of such a construction that it may be very compact and adapted if desired to be carried on a bracket on the compressor frame. These and other advantages of my improved construction will. however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While 1 have in this a plication specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be noted that this form of the same is used for purposes of illustration and thatthe invention maybe modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its and applied in sub-.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. in combination with a compressor having autonniticallv acting inlet valves, an unloading mechanism, means't'or controlling said unloading mechanism comprising a pressure fluid inlet to said mechanism; means for controlling a flow of pressure fluid through said inlet. and means comprising a motor independent therefrom for controlling said [low controlling means.

2. in combination with a compressor having automatically acting inlet valves, aI'i iu'iloading mechanism, means for controlling said unloading mechanism and comprising a pressure fluid inlet to said mechanism. means tor controlling a flow of fluid through said inlet to unload said compressor and from said mechanism to load the compressor, and means for controlling said flow controlling means comprising a motor independent therefrom and. gov-- erned by compressor discharge pressure.

3. In combination with a compressor having automaticallv acting inlet valves, an unloading mechanism. means for. controlling said unloading mechanism and com-- prising a pressure fluid inlet to said mechanism. means for controlling a flow of pressure lluid through said inlet, and pressure fluid actuated means for controlling said How controlling means comprising a fluid motor independent therefrom.

4. In combination with a compressor havmg automatically acting inlet 'alves. an

engagcablc with said valve for controlling.

the latter and a fluid motor controlling said member. 1

In combination with a motor driven compressor having automatically acting inlet valves. an unloading mechanism, means for controlling said unloading mechanism and comprising a pressure fluid inlet to said mechanisn'i. means for controlling a How of pressure fluid through said inlet, means for controlling said flow controlling means. and means controlled by, said last named means for controlling the compressor motor. i

(S. In. a compressor controlling mechanism, a pilot valve. a pressure operated member controlled therebv. an unloading mechanism, means comprising a alvc for controlling said unloading mechanism. and means operated by said member for con trolling said last named means.

'i'. In a compressor control-ling mechanism,

the combination comprising inlet valve operating mechanism, a valve controlling the flow of pressure thereto, a controllingswiteli, and means responsive to terminal pressure controlling said valve and said switch.

8. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising inlet valve operating mechanism, a valve controlling'the flow of pressure thereto, a controlling switch and means responsive to terminal pressure successively actuating said valve and said switch.

5). In a compressor controlling mechanisn'i,

the comlgiination comprising inlet valve operating mechanism, a valve controlling the How of pressure thereto, a controlling switch, and means responsive to terminal pressure for alternately actuating said valve and said switch. I

10. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising pressure fluid actuated inlet valve operating mechanism including a fluid pressure controlling element, amotor controlling switch, and a single member movable in response .to varia tions in terminal pressure and mechanically controlling said controlling element and said controlling switch.

11. Ina compressor controlling mecha nism, the combination comprising inlet valve operating mechanism. a motor controlling switch, and a resiliently mounted member movable in response to variations in terminal pressure successively controlling said elements.

12. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising inlet valve controlling mechanism, a motor controlling switch, a member movable in response to va-' riations in terminal pressure to control said mechanism and said switch sequentially, and means for governing the speed of movement of said member.

13. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising inlet valve operating mechanism, a motor controlling switch. a member responsive to variations in terminal pressure successively controlling said-elements, and means for retarding the movement of said member.

14:. In a con'ipressor controlling mecha nism, the combination comprising inlet valve operating mechanism. a valve controlling the flow of fluid thereto. a motor circuit ,ntrolling switch. means responsive to variations in terminal pressure cngageable with said valve or switch, and means resisting movement of said last mentioned means.

In av compressorcontrolling mecha nism. the combination comprising inlet valve operating piston mechanism, a valve controlling the flow ot fluid thereto, a motor circuit controlling switch. means respons've to variations in terminal pressure engageable with said valve or switch, and means scissors resisting movement of ssicl lest mentioned. means in either direction.

16. In e compressor controlling meshes iiism, the combination comprising inlet valve operating mechanism, at controlling valve therefor niovshle to admit iluicl' thereto or exhaust fluid therefrom, means responsive to variations in terminal pressure for zictiiziting said valve, and 9. motor controlling switch likewise actusterl by said last mentioned means.

17. in a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprisinginlet valve operating irioclisnism, e controlling valve therefor movable to admitiluirl thereto or exhaust tlui'zl therefrom, a motor controlling switch, means responsive to vsristioiisio terminal pressure for alternately actuating siiirl valveoncl switch, and means resisting movement of said last mentioned mews. I

compressor controlling; mechaism, the coi'nhinotiori comprising valve operating mechanism, at controlling valve therefor movable to zirlmit fluid thereto or exhaust fluid therefrom, a. motor coiitrolling switch, means responsive to terminal pres sure "for alternately actuating said valve and switch, rind resilient. means resisting movement of said last mentioned means.

1%. In a compressor controlling meclrsl'tlSIn, the combination comprising inlet valve ooereting piston mechanism, e'vslve controlling; the flow of rluirl thereto, diiiotor circuit coritrolling switch, means responsive to variations in criminal pressure engageahle "with. said. valve or switch, means resisting movement l in one direction of said isst mes med and means for delaying movement oi the some iii the opposite direction. 20. lo. o compressor controlling mechanism,

combination comprising inlet valve opotin piston mechanism, evolve controlsuit controlling switch, means responsive to izitioiis in terminal pressure engegesble ,li said valve or switch, movement in one direction of szi'ul lest mentioned me:iiis,':i.n l means for delaying movement o the some in either direction. fill. lira s; compressor controlling mechaisni, the; combination comprising inletvalve operating mechanism, a. controlling; valve therefor movable to admit fluid thereto or exhaust fluid therefrom, it motor controlling switch, means responsive to terminal pres sure for alternately actuating said valve silo. switch, resilient means resisting movement of serial his; mentioned means, filli'l rctoriling means likewise resisting movement oi? said last mentioned moons.

in e compressor controlling oiechzvp ling): the flow of fiuicltliereto, motor ciriu-um by a p tcrleterizimeiiamount tocmit nism, the combination comprising pressure fluid actuated inlet valve operating mechw oism, a. motor controlling switch, a single controlling means for snicl mechanism and said. switch, and means movable in response to verietions in terminal pressure controltime the operation of unloading mechanism.

In a compressor controlling mechs In a compressor controlling meche iiism, the combination comprising compres sor unloading mechanism and motor con trolling mechanism, and a single member operative to operate said unloading mechanism end, after a. predetermined interval, to operate saicl motor controllingmechanism.

26. in a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising compressor unloading mechanism and motor controlling;- switch, and means incluoling a sincontrol member responsive to terminal pressure and controlling said member being effective to 11111 i said compressor with a. minimum of cleley'ami being provided with means to prevent opening ot the motor cont-rolling; sv'itch except 2*. ter a. predeterminecl time interval there'- a'fter.

2'2". lit a motor drives compressor system comprising a driving; motor, compressor :inrl a receiver coniiectecl to said coii'irzessor, the combination compri ing s compressor the operatioii ,oi' said unloading mechanism and said Till-5 iio unloading mechanism and motor controlling mechanism, and a member receiver pressure exec" a. desired mi o}; said compressor u'nloocling mechoni's ii to its load the compressor. said member being also operative to control said motor controlling mechanism to stop said. motor but having means associated therewith to prevent stopping of the motor unless receiver pressure remains in excess of said minimum for at predetermined time.

In tcstimoii v Whercol l aliii; mv si natur WM s ii. Wrist-clots.

operative when 

